Lincoln County and Boothbay safety personnel combined with the American Red Cross, held a first-ever health and safety fair at the Boothbay Ambulance station on Saturday, Aug 8.

Featured at the event was a child safety seat demonstration by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, a seatbelt safety exhibit, a 911 display by Lincoln County Communications, and an open ambulance viewing by the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service (BRAS) EMS. A team from the American Red Cross conducted a blood drive in the ambulance bay throughout the day.

“This is the first time we have done this,” said coordinator Robyn Ham, a four-year veteran of BRAS.

Rick Tarr of Atlantic Partners EMS demonstrated the Seat Belt Convincer.

A car seat set on an inclined track simulated a 5 mph crash.

"You can imagine what it would be like at 40 mph,” said Tarr who is available for demonstrations statewide at fairs and other events.

"We go anywhere, anytime," said Tarr.

Tarr said that seatbelt compliance in Maine is 85 percent, or about in the middle compared to other states. He said that represents an improvement up from 30 percent many years ago.

He said that smartphones have increased the amount of texting during driving, a mushrooming hazard on the roadways.

"The letters are so much easier to touch than the old phones,” he said.

Tara Jones of Lincoln County Communications showed a simulator that duplicates the response of emergency personnel to 911 calls.

"The first question we ask is where are you calling from,” said Jones.

She said that often in an accident situation, the caller has difficulty in saying where the ambulance should respond to. The center is able to use electronic data and GPS to zero in on the location.

Jones said it is important that homeowners clearly identify their street address.

"Even if you tack it on the tree,” she said.